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Wednesday November 11, 2009

Top seeds Malaysia assured of at least a bronze

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have been tagged as the top seeds for the men’s team badminton competition ahead of defending champions Indonesia in the Laos SEA Games next month.

And that means they will not be meeting Indonesia until the final.

Only seven countries have entered for the men’s team competition in Laos and top seeds Malaysia, by virtue of a first-round bye, are assured of a bronze medal.

Malaysia go straight into the semi-finals where they will meet third seeds Thailand.

With Lee Chong Wei and Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong – ranked No. 1 in the world in the men’s singles and doubles respectively – leading the charge, Malaysia should have no problems reaching the final.

Indonesia open their campaign against Vietnam and should face fourth seeds Singapore for a place in the final.

Indonesia will be banking on Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Simon Santoso for the singles points and on Olympic champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan and the rising young pair of Yonathan Suryatama Dasuki-Rian Sukmawan, who were runners-up in the Japan Open recently, for the doubles points.

In the women’s team competition, Malaysia are the third seeds and their chances of making the final look slim as they have Indonesia in their way.

Malaysia, led by Wong Mew Choo and Chin Eei-Hui Wong Pei Tty, should beat hosts Laos in their opening tie to set up a semi-final date with second seeds Indonesia.

The other semi-final should be between top seeds Thailand and fourth seeds Singapore.

For the record, Malaysia did not have a single representative in the final of the team or individual event at the Korat SEA Games two years ago.

Indonesia made a clean sweep of all seven gold medals at stake.

However, Malaysia are looking to return with at least two gold medals this time.

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